Fibroblast Growth Factor 17(FGF-17) is a member of the heparin - binding growth factors family that is prominently expressed in the cerebellum and cortex. Proteins of this family possess broad mitogenic and cell survival activities and they are involved in a variety of biological processes including embryonic development cell growth, morphogenesis, tissue repair, tumor growth, and invasion. FGF-17 plays an important role in the regulation of embryonic development and it acts as signaling molecule in the induction and patterning of the embryonic brain. In addition, FGF-17 stimulates the proliferation and activation of cells that express FGF receptors.